“And if any of these be an open and notorious evil liver,——the curate shall advertise him, that in any wise he presume not to come to the Lord’s table, until he hath openly declared himself to have truly repented.
3. “Then (after the Nicene creed) the curate shall declare unto the people, what holidays, or fasting-days, are in the week following to be observed.
4. “The minister shall first receive the communion in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the bishops, priests, and deacons, in like manner, if any be present, and after that, to the people.
5. “In cathedral and collegiate churches, and colleges, where there are many priests and deacons, they shall all receive the communion with the priest, every Sunday at the least.
6. “The children to be baptized must be ready at the font, immediately after the last lesson.
7. “The curates of every parish shall warn the people, that without great necessity, they procure not their children to be baptized at home in their houses.
8. “The curate of every parish shall diligently upon Sundays and Holydays, after the second lesson at evening prayer, openly in the church, instruct and examine so many children as he shall think convenient, in some part of the catechism.
9. “Whensoever the bishop shall give notice for children to be brought unto him for their confirmation, the curate of every parish, shall either bring or send in writing, with his hand subscribed thereunto, the names of all such persons within his parish, as he shall think fit to be presented to the bishop.”
81. Now the question is not, whether these rubrics ought to be observed, (you take this for granted in making the objection) but whether in fact they have been observed by you, or me, most? Many can witness, I have observed them punctually, yea, sometimes at the hazard of my life: and as many, I fear, that you, have not observed them at all, and that several of them you never pretended to observe. And is it you that are accusing me, for not observing the rubrics of the church? What grimace is this! O tell it not in Gath! Publish not in the streets of Askelon!
82. With regard to the canons, I would in the first place desire you to consider, two or three plain questions.